North Carolina State University Athletics
NC State-Wake Forest Coaches Quotes
1/21/2008 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
NC State coach Jim Valvano
“I thought in the first half, we did a good job in our half-court offense and getting the ball inside. Then, in the second half, with their quickness, we turned the ball over too much. The clock makes the game much longer with a lot of possessions. It will be a detriment to us as we try to improve.
“We came back and made a run at them at to gain the lead in the first half. We were hanging with them when it was 40-36. Then we missed a shot and they hit the layup at the buzzer for a six-point lead. That was the big point swing.
“Their speed and quickness and our lack of ball-handling were important. But, as I’ve said before, I prefer to get our butts beat while we’re on the road. We’re going to improve and get better. We have a lot of our home games later in the season when we will be better.
No question the loss of Dereck (Whittenburg) is more than what you think initially. He meant so much more to us than just an outside shooter. We have to replace him and the guy who replaces him off the bench. It puts a strain on our depth. It’s a domino effect. I was pleased, though, with our play in the first half. We’re trying to get the ball inside more to compensate for the loss of Whittenburg. But we made too many mistakes. Too many turnovers.
“They have a very quick team. Toms,
I thought we got off to a very good start, which we wanted to do. Offense looked a little sharper. We executed a little bit better. We knew the defense would have to be equal to the task, and I thought it was. It gave us the fast breaks and steals that we got. We stayed in pretty good shape defensively with different sets. Changes here and there kept them out of their offensive rhythm pretty well. But it was more of the transition game with the fast breaks that came in the second half that really spelled the difference.
“We’re delighted with the play of the team and Alvis Rogers continues to play well, and Anthony Teachey. Delaney Rudd had a game very similar to the game he had in the Holiday Festival with St. Joes. The break-aways were really helpful to keep the point spread where it was.
“We’re very delighted with the victory, of course.”
